Page 12 of Mr. Wolfe's Nanny

"Lord Sebastian Skunk returned. He's in love with Miss Mittens," the little girl whisper to Mrs. Wolfe.

Ryder rolls his eyes at his sister as Mrs. Wolfe yelps, "Oh dear! Shut the door at once, Ryder! You'll both need to stay indoors until I can get the gardener to come get rid of it."

I spring out of my chair towards the doors but not to close them. I want to see the skunk. I've lived in the city for years now. I never see anything beyond pets, pigeons and the occasional rat living there.

"Mephitis mephitis, where are you hiding? What are you doing up during the day when you should be sleeping?" I sing-song softly out the door. The front lawn was large but the back seems to stretch on and on with plenty of trees. One looks simply perfect for a tire swing.

A small figure joins me, eyes wide. "Mephitis is a funny name. I think he likes Sebastian better. Maybe he's got his days and nights mixed up."

I smile down at the little girl. "I'm sure you're right. I like Sebastian better, too. Mephitis mephitis is his scientific name just as we are Homo sapiens."

"Oh. That's good to know. My granddad does the Sunday crossword and you never knwo what it will ask," she says, quite sagely for a child her age. "Our neighbor across the hedge has a kitty named Miss Mittens and I think that's why he comes back so often. I'm Jill."

"Hello, Jill. Miss Mittens the Kitten? She must be a beauty to catch Lord Sebastian's eye."

Jill gives me a gap-tooth grin. "She is. The prettiest kitty ever." Her hand brushes my elbow and her voice drops to a whisper. "I wish I had a kitty. Or a puppy."

"Me, too. Though a puppy might try to chase Sebastian away and wind up getting a nasty surprise." I pinch my nose and make a face. Jill giggles, the sound as light and innocent as wind chimes.

I glance over my shoulder to find Mrs. Wolfe smiling widely at us while Ryder scowls. "You have a huge backyard. What other creatures live in your woods?" I ask him.

The scowl alters slightly though it's still full of suspicion. "We have birds and rabbits. Squirrels. I once saw a mouse." He drops his voice, conspiratorially. "We've got a little pond where I find worms and insects and arachnids." I notice Mrs. Wolfe cringing. "Sometimes, there's little brown frogs there."

"Are they Spring Creepers, Ryder?"

"I think so. I haven't caught one yet."

"Pseudacris crucifer is common around here and quite vocal. Does he ever keep you awake on summer nights?"

Jill shakes her head but Ryder nods. "All the time. I open my window and listen to him. After a while, I tell him to shut up so I can sleep."

"He doesn't mean to keep you awake. He's probably lonely and calling for his mate or to find friends."

Ryder creeps closer to the door as we speak of frogs and, a moment later, our friend the striped skunk waddles into view. Has its den been disturbed perhaps?

"Ms. Quinn, would you mind if we watch the skunk from behind closed doors?" Mrs. Wolfe asks, amusedly. She's on the far side of the room and her nose is twitching as if fearing what could happen.

I close the door and give her a sheepish smile. I suppose I'm not making the best impression encouraging the children to commune with skunks.

"Children, this is Ms. Quinn, who I hope will be your new nanny."

6-Quinn

Three days later, I'm moving into Mr. Wolfe's home though I've never met the man. God, I hope he takes to me as readily as his mother and kids have. I saw my landlord and squared away my lease earlier. I'll be homeless, at least temporarily, if Mr. Wolfe decides I won't work out. Breath Quinn, This will be alright.

Margaret is staying over tonight while I get settled into my quarters but, in the morning, it's showtime. I should be nervous, it's a new environment and situation for me, after all, but I'm not. I can do this. I know I can. Granted, I felt the same way about my one-night stand initially, too. Not the same thing!

It'll be a school day tomorrow so I'll get the kids up by 6:45, make sure they get dressed, eat, brush their teeth and are ready to head out the door by 7:30. Normally, I'm to drive them to school but, since Mr. Wolfe is out of town, his driver will take me to help us learn the route.

I smile, looking around my quarters. A small, tastefully decorated sitting area with a large, comfortable-looking bed. I've got a walk-in closet, which I've crammed full of science experiment stuff, and a nice ensuite with a garden tub big enough for two.

Maybe I'll take a hot bath later to relax. Maybe my mind will wander to that night with...Stop thinking of him.

My gabled window has a padded bench seat where I can read or look outside at the last of summer's flowers blooming. It's quiet, peaceful, perfect. I think I'm going to be okay.

Ryder loves everything nature and helping him catch a Grandaddy Longlegs for a sketch this afternoon was a definite mark in my favor. He asked how I felt about earthworms and I told him I used to have a terrarium where I kept them as a kid. His eyes had boggled but in a good way.

And Jill... God lover her, Jill is the sweetest little girl though she's shy and it's clear new social situations make her uncomfortable. If ever there was a nanny who could relate to that, it's me. Is that why she keeps Lady Ducks around? I should speak with her teacher once I get a bit more established.

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